Vitaly Valentinovich Milonov is a Russian politician, a member of the State Duma of the Russian Federation and a member of the United Russia party. His political career spans a number of significant events and positions, and is also of interest due to his connections and views on far-right movements.
Short bio
Vitaly Milonov began his political career in the early 2000s. In 2011, he was elected as a deputy to the Legislative Assembly of St. Petersburg. In 2012, Milonov became known for his active support of the “Law on the Prohibition of Propaganda of Non-Traditional Sexual Relationships among Minors”, also known as the “Law on Gay Propaganda”. In 2016, Vitaly Milonov was elected to the State Duma of the Russian Federation, representing a single-mandate district in St. Petersburg.
Participation in the war
Starting in 2014, during the active phase of the war in south-eastern Ukraine, Milonov provided assistance to the self-proclaimed republics of Donbas. He claimed to have served as part of an anti-tank artillery battery on the MT-12 Rapira gun. Callsign – “Gustav”. On 2 June 2014, he was appointed head of the DNR representative office in the city and Leningrad region. On 23 September 2022 Milonov, two days after the announcement of partial mobilisation in Russia, announced that he had gone to volunteer in Donbass. According to Russian media, Milonov spent five months in the war zone with the rank of junior sergeant as an artilleryman. According to Russian investigative journalist Maria Borzunova, Milonov left the combat zone several times during this time. In her opinion, Milonov’s participation in the fighting in Donbas was fictitious and was a kind of PR campaign in support of Russian troops in Ukraine. In September 2023, he was promoted to the rank of lieutenant.
Far-right ideologist
Vitaly Milonov is recognised as a supporter of conservative and traditional values and actively advocates for their protection. His stance on LGBT+ rights has been controversial and criticised by some public and human rights organisations. His participation in the adoption of the “Law on Gay Propaganda” and his defence of this law caused discussions and debates both in Russia and abroad. Over time, Vitaly Milonov became known as a figure associated with conservative and right-wing circles in Russia. His public statements and actions are sometimes associated with far-right views.
Vitaly Milonov is a Russian politician known for his active support of conservative and traditional values, as well as his stance on LGBT+ rights issues. His connections and views have attracted interest inside and outside of Russia, and his activities remain the subject of debate and discussion. For more up-to-date information on his links to far-right movements, it is recommended to consult current sources and news stories.